Many white people are “lured away” from a sacred conversation on race for two reasons, according to the Rev. John H. Thomas, the UCC’s general minister and president.

Utilizing its customary edgy and humorous approach to advertising, the UCC will launch a new two-week, pre-Easter advertising blitz on Sirius Satellite Radio, beginning March 10.

Genesis 45:16-28 Pharaoh welcomes Jacob’s family Matthew 8:1-13 Jesus heals many people Psalm 130 With you there is forgiveness In order for Apartheid to truly end, it must cease in the minds and hearts of individuals, governments, and churches. The Revs. Dawn and Jon Barnes are missionaries in the Eastern Cape of South Africa and work with twenty churches of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA). The churches are divided into “black” Xhosa-speaking churches and “colored” Afrikaans-speaking churches. The Barnes know that there is still much reconciliation and bridge-building that needs to happen. However, they witnessed a breakthrough in January, 2007 when the Rev. Mzimkulu Leonard Kakaza was ordained as a UCCSA minister and became the first “black” minister to serve a “colored” church. Rev. Kakaza is a bridge of reconciliation– a new hope for South Africa. Centering Prayer: Holy One of Israel, covenant-keeper, you restore what is lost, heal what is wounded, and gather in those who have been rejected. Give us the faith to speak as steadfastly as did the Canaanite woman, that the outcast may be welcomed and all people may be blessed. Amen.

Genesis 44:1-34 Judah pleads for Benjamin Romans 11:13-29 God saves Jews and Gentiles Psalm 130 With you there is forgiveness There is an ongoing ministry within Almaden Valley UCC in San Jose, CA that responds to our members and their extended families who are in need of prayers and comfort. The objective of the Caring Committee is to give support and encouragement to those who are ill or distressed, and to ease the burden of those who are grief-stricken from the death of a loved one. The committee also lightens the load on the minister by helping with such chores as setting up memorial services, arranging for transportation, and preparing meals when needed. The Caring Committee is for anyone in need of assistance with food, transportation, or home and hospital visits. Almaden Valley UCC is a community of believers who place a high value on service to others, with a particular emphasis on compassion for all people. Centering Prayer: Holy One of Israel, covenant-keeper, you restore what is lost, heal what is wounded, and gather in those who have been rejected. Give us the faith to speak as steadfastly as did the Canaanite woman, that the outcast may be welcomed and all people may be blessed. Amen.

Genesis 43:1-34 Benjamin joins Joseph’s brothers Acts 15:1-21 The believing Jews accept the Gentiles Psalm 130 With you there is forgiveness The Simi Valley United Church of Christ voted on July 8, 2007, with Dan Romero present, to become a host church in the New Sanctuary Movement. The congregation was inspired by the story of Liliana, an Oxnard resident who is facing a deportation order, and decided to make its house (formerly its church and parsonage) available for sanctuary instead of renting it to tenants. UCC Simi is working with Ventura County CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice). CLUE's criteria for Sanctuary families are: Facing a deportation order and working with attorneys to achieve legal status, citizen children, good work record, no criminal background, willingness to go public (Note: the Sanctuary churches are not hiding people, and the immigration authorities will know of their whereabouts). Centering Prayer: Holy One of Israel, covenant-keeper, you restore what is lost, heal what is wounded, and gather in those who have been rejected. Give us the faith to speak as steadfastly as did the Canaanite woman, that the outcast may be welcomed and all people may be blessed. Amen.

Churches worldwide are being invited to celebrate a day of prayer for Zimbabwe on Sunday, 22 June, as the beginning of a season of prayer for the people and government of the African country, which is facing a critical time.

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost Blessed and Forgiven Genesis 45:1-15 Joseph reconciles with his brothers Psalm 133 How good it is to live in unity Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 God’s mercy to all, Jew and Gentile Matthew 15:[10-20] 21-28 The Canaanite woman’s daughter is healed My house shall be a house of prayer for all people. How many times, in how many places and in how many ways have we ignored God’s gift that we are one family? Perhaps nowhere on Earth is this more apparent than in the Holy Land and the Middle East. Ken and Betty Frank, missionaries in Turkey, have seen and felt the reverence that visitors to the region experience while walking the same streets where Jesus [was Jesus in Turkey?] walked, seeing places mentioned in the Bible and visiting the place where St. Paul preached at Ephesus. But the Franks are quick to remind us that many other holy men and women also walked there – not just Christians. The Greek, Roman, Hittite, and Ottoman civilizations have all left their mark on these lands and set examples that have endured through the ages. These historical lands embody the plurality of culture, religion, insights and philosophies of which human beings are capable. But along with the grandeur of that history is a feeling of uncertainty about the future. Are we destined to repeat the errors of previous civilizations? Can a lasting peace ever come to the region? The Franks admit that our hope lies within us and yet beyond us. They believe that experiencing the diversity of the Holy Land can pull us out of our own cultural and personal limitations, and lead us to a deeper appreciation of our own Christian traditions and history. Centering Prayer: Holy One of Israel, covenant-keeper, you restore what is lost, heal what is wounded, and gather in those who have been rejected. Give us the faith to speak as steadfastly as did the Canaanite woman, that the outcast may be welcomed and all people may be blessed. Amen.

Genesis 42:1-28 Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt Matthew 14:34-36 Jesus heals the sick Psalm 133 How good it is to live in unity Some people have to decide if they want paper or plastic grocery bags. But at Grace Federated Church in East Boston, it doesn't really matter. What does matter is that the church is filling those grocery bags and servicing over 200 different families so they don't go hungry. "Some people may be down on their luck or just can't make it between pay checks," said Dennis Boseman, the church administrator and co-director of its food pantry. "We started 9 years ago with 2-3 families per month. Now, we're up to 20 families a week." Fortunately, anyone visiting the Grace food pantry knows there will always be food available there. Grace has placed notices in the local paper and put up flyers in low-income buildings to help ensure those in need will know where to get help. All are welcome at the church service or at the food pantry, especially since hunger does not distinguish among denominations. Centering Prayer: Holy One of Israel, covenant-keeper, you restore what is lost, heal what is wounded, and gather in those who have been rejected. Give us the faith to speak as steadfastly as did the Canaanite woman, that the outcast may be welcomed and all people may be blessed. Amen.

Genesis 41:37-57 Joseph’s rise to power Acts 14:19-28 God opens the door to Gentiles Psalm 133 How good it is to live in unity The Chaplaincy program at Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton is made up of lay members and pastors of the various churches in North County. Plymouth UCC in Paso Robles, CA has several members serving as chaplains in this area currently. Chaplains are there to listen when patients and their families need to unburden themselves, make difficult decisions, endure multiple surgeries, or realize they may not recover from an illness. The chaplain encourages them to talk, not by providing advice, but by helping them through the healing process. They offer spiritual strength and prayers, as life can be very difficult at times. Seeing how other people cope and gain a healthy perspective when they are struggling gives the chaplains an inner strength and helps them to know that God, the loving Presence, is always there. Centering Prayer: Holy One of Israel, covenant-keeper, you restore what is lost, heal what is wounded, and gather in those who have been rejected. Give us the faith to speak as steadfastly as did the Canaanite woman, that the outcast may be welcomed and all people may be blessed. Amen.

In response to a plan announced by the conservative Alliance Defense Fund to initiate a legal test of IRS limits on electoral political speech by at least 50 pastors on Sept. 28, a UCC church in Columbus, Ohio, is calling for at least 10 times that number to preach on the value of church-state separation on the Sunday prior.

Genesis 41:14-36 Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams Revelation 15:1-4 All nations will worship God Psalm 133 How good it is to live in unity The Neighborhood Church in Palos Verdes Estates, CA has its own Pastoral Care Department to help our members cope with illness, suffering or loss, share bereavement, and to provide a ministry of compassionate presence. Pastoral Care is designed with the church member's needs for spiritual support at the center. Spiritual support may include, whenever specifically requested, prayer, devotional readings, inspirational music, copies of sermon tapes and any other desired theological materials, in addition to affirming God's love for all through the sharing of our stories and faith journeys. Pastoral visits are for the purpose of providing spiritual empathy and emotional support for those who may feel spiritually adrift or disconnected from our faith community due to illness, disability or any other life-altering change of circumstance. "God is our shelter, our strength, always ready to help in times of trouble." Centering Prayer: Holy One of Israel, covenant-keeper, you restore what is lost, heal what is wounded, and gather in those who have been rejected. Give us the faith to speak as steadfastly as did the Canaanite woman, that the outcast may be welcomed and all people may be blessed. Amen.

More than 100 new church planters, coaches, seminarians, presenters, and Conference and National ministries staff are participating in the UCC’s second annual New Church Leadership Institute meeting this week in Atlanta, Ga.

Genesis 40:1-23 The dreams of two prisoners Matthew 8:23-27 Jesus stills the storm Psalm 28 God hears my pleadings Lifting people out of poverty takes creativity as well as commitment. Dale and Bethsaba Nafziger have an abundance of both in their ministry with the people of Nepal. In addition to constructing a second location for church fellowship and involvement at a new hospice center in Kathmandu, Bethsaba also manages a small business called Top of the World. The goal of this enterprise is to provide a safe, clean working environment, especially for at-risk women. Top of the World sells frozen foods with the proceeds used to grow the business so that more workers can be employed. Dale and Bethsaba say that seeing the change that has taken place in the young women’s lives makes it all worthwhile. Centering Prayer: Through the storms of life, O God, you are with your people in the person of Jesus your Son. Calm our fears and strengthen our faith that we may never doubt his presence among us but proclaim that he is your Son, risen from the dead, living for ever and ever. Amen.

Genesis 39:1-23 Joseph is Potiphar’s employ Romans 9:14-29 God’s wrath, God’s mercy Psalm 28 God hears my pleadings When it comes to doing ministry on behalf of the less fortunate, Mayflower UCC in Oklahoma City, OK has developed a unique and highly successful means of distributing money to the best charitable organizations both locally, nationally, and internationally. A Benevolence Board comprised of nine members oversees the distribution of tens of thousands of dollars for benevolence purposes. In the most recent calendar year, Mayflower distributed nearly $70,000 to help the poor, supported church missions, and provided emergency assistance to individuals in crisis. 20% of our funds go to the benevolence projects of the Kansas/Oklahoma Conference of the United Church of Christ, and the remaining 80% are used for charitable contributions, and for discretionary spending based on priority needs. The Benevolence Board and its manner of operation is at the heart of what Mayflower believes the church should be all about. Instead of building a larger edifice with the fruits of our success, Mayflower has made a conscious decision to spend more and more of its money helping the poor. This, we think, is the model for the church in the new millennium. Centering Prayer: Through the storms of life, O God, you are with your people in the person of Jesus your Son. Calm our fears and strengthen our faith that we may never doubt his presence among us but proclaim that he is your Son, risen from the dead, living for ever and ever. Amen.

Genesis 37:29-36 Jacob mourns Joseph’s loss 2 Peter 2:4-10 God judges and rescues Psalm 28 God hears my pleadings Each of us can be like the traveling merchants who lifted Joseph up out of the pit, where he surely would have died. Church World Service (CWS), a partner organization of Global Ministries, distributes School Kits and Baby Kits throughout the world to those in need. Shipments are delivered from their warehouse in New Windsor, Maryland, on a steady basis, but the need is great. In the first quarter of 2007, nearly 15,000 school kits went to Romania, 4,000 to Moldova and 7,500 to Montenegro. Baby Kits are also in short supply. If your congregation is looking for a hands-on service project, check out the CWS website at www.churchworldservice.org to find out how to assemble and ship kits. Centering Prayer: Through the storms of life, O God, you are with your people in the person of Jesus your Son. Calm our fears and strengthen our faith that we may never doubt his presence among us but proclaim that he is your Son, risen from the dead, living for ever and ever. Amen.

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Lifted Up Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 Joseph sold by his brothers Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b Remembering Joseph Romans 10:5-15 The word of faith Matthew 14:22-33 Jesus walking on the sea Located across busy 19th Avenue and next to the Muni Stop at San Francisco State University, The Edge has a time-honored tradition of serving students and staff with a deep and spirit led ministry. It was previously called the Ecumenical House and enjoyed a rich, active and varied history. Today we look with anticipation to a re-emergence of this ministry. A partnership consisting of the United Church of Christ through the California Nevada Northern Conference, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, and United Methodist leadership is working to create a new Campus Ministry at SFSU. Their mission, “To create life changing Christian ministry with the campus community of San Francisco State University…” Their model for ministry includes the pastoral leadership of a Campus Pastor, who supervises a small residential community of full-time students. The residential community is an intentional Christian community living together under a covenant arrangement, which includes prayer, spiritual disciplines, and time commitments to building the ministry on campus. We move forward in faith, and look to the wider elements of our communities for prayer, input and support, which is both spiritual and material. To learn more about this exciting new ministry, visit their website at: www.edgesfsu.org. Centering Prayer: Through the storms of life, O God, you are with your people in the person of Jesus your Son. Calm our fears and strengthen our faith that we may never doubt his presence among us but proclaim that he is your Son, risen from the dead, living for ever and ever. Amen.

Genesis 37:5-11 Joseph dreams of greatness Matthew 16:1-4 The sign of Jonah Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b Remembering Joseph Since Kay Riley and Randall Parkin started the Shawl Knitting Ministry at Plymouth UCC in Des Moines, IA in 2004, members of Plymouth have knit and blessed more than 250 shawls for any person who is in need of a comforting shawl. The shawls have been blessed for joyful and painful reasons, and it is our prayer that these mantles have wrapped the recipients with warmth, prayers, thoughts, comfort and blessings. Shawls have been given to members, friends and relatives of members, and friends of people who hear of this ministry and ask for a shawl. We who knit these shawls feel so blessed to be able to participate in this necessary and helpful outreach. To learn more about this important ministry please visit the Plymouth UCC Web site at www.plymouthchurch.com. Centering Prayer: Through the storms of life, O God, you are with your people in the person of Jesus your Son. Calm our fears and strengthen our faith that we may never doubt his presence among us but proclaim that he is your Son, risen from the dead, living for ever and ever. Amen.

Genesis 36:1-8 Esau’s household moves Acts 18:24-28 A new disciple preaches Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b Remembering Joseph Jesus founded a community of disciples which we now call the church so that people's lives would be touched, healed, and transformed by the power and grace of God. Jesus helped people learn to share their journeys with each other, spur each other on, and love each other as God loves them. He guided people to become mature, deeply committed disciples eager to serve their God. Small groups are often where this kind of growth take place. That is why Emmanuel Congregational UCC in Watertown, NY places a high value on small groups and classes that are open-ended, welcoming, emotionally safe, conversational, and encourage and values the participation and comments of each participant. Emmanuel UCC has a very active year-round schedule of small groups and classes, such as a Workplace Christianity Breakfast Group, Diversity Group, and Prayer Shawl Ministry. To find out more about these and other small groups and classes that Emmanuel UCC has to offer visit their website at www.emmanuelucc.org/activities.htm. Centering Prayer: Through the storms of life, O God, you are with your people in the person of Jesus your Son. Calm our fears and strengthen our faith that we may never doubt his presence among us but proclaim that he is your Son, risen from the dead, living for ever and ever. Amen.

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Lifted Up Genesis 35:22b-29 The twelve sons of Jacob Acts 17:10-15 The good news is shared Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b Remembering Joseph The Apostle Andrew played no small role in the miracle of feeding the five thousand, says the Rev. Sandra Gourdet, former Global Ministries’ missionary to Haiti. So it was no coincidence that the name Andrew Theological Seminary was chosen for an institution that transforms despair and poverty into hope and prosperity. The seminary, under the auspices of the National Spiritual Council of Haitian churches, has been in planting seeds in the minds of a few pastors who have then nurtured and transformed the lives of thousands. The Rev. Gourdet holds Andrew Seminary up as a living symbol of how the five thousand can still be fed today. Centering Prayer: Through the storms of life, O God, you are with your people in the person of Jesus your Son. Calm our fears and strengthen our faith that we may never doubt his presence among us but proclaim that he is your Son, risen from the dead, living for ever and ever. Amen.

Two UCC pastors have returned from a three-week trip to Iran, convinced that the UCC should take the lead in helping to prevent the United States from attacking or invading Iran.